Monument Valley
Apr 24, 2019 13:11:51 #
We've gotten our reservation for a one night stay at "The View Hotel" and will be staying in one of the "Executive Cabins" that face due east with the classic Monument Valley View for this late July . My plan is to arrive into the area by 3-4 PM. We must leave the next day mid-morning. I obviously plan for sunset shots, Milky Way shots, and sunrise shots. I see that the Wildcat Trail is a short trail and a no charge trail around one of the buttes. I see all the paid guided tours for sunset and sunrise are for access and where you driven to places one normally cannot get to on your own. Can the group suggest whether the paid guided tours offer access for better shots of sunrise or sunset and whether it's actually worth it or not at $75-85/person?
Apr 24, 2019 13:27:25 #
We arrived at MV in late afternoon. Stayed at The View Hotel two nights. Caught the sunset both nights and sunrises in the AM. Took our car for the “drive your own” in the AM and then in the afternoon, we hired a Navajo guide for the afternoon. Well worth the $$ spent considering you go off the “drive your own” trail to see different locations that only the guide can take you. My concern for you is that you are not giving yourself enough time. Good luck and enjoy MV. It is a remarkable Navajo reservation !!
Apr 24, 2019 13:43:12 #
Kingman wrote:
We've gotten our reservation for a one night stay ... (show quote)
While I wasn't specifically looking for sunrise/sunset photos, I would highly recommend a Navaho guide. I've attached an example of a photo that I would not have gotten had it not been for the guide (who, incidentally loaned me his tripod, which I had not thought to bring.) Have a great trip!
Apr 24, 2019 13:49:44 #
MT native wrote:
We arrived at MV in late afternoon. Stayed at The... (show quote)
Thanks for the suggestions. I already know I am probably not spending enough time at MV. When you mean "drive you own" ...this is a guided tour in their vehicle or your own?
Apr 24, 2019 14:27:06 #
You can drive on your own if you have a vehicle with enough clearance. We had no problem with our SUV sedan. We took it slow when needed and experienced no problems. As I recall, the “drive your own” was about a six mile loop.
Apr 24, 2019 15:08:41 #
MT native wrote:
You can drive on your own if you have a vehicle with enough clearance. We had no problem with our SUV sedan. We took it slow when needed and experienced no problems. As I recall, the “drive your own” was about a six mile loop.
I assume I need to pay for access with my own vehicle? Which "drive your own" tour was this? Thks in advance.
Apr 24, 2019 17:40:13 #
To drive on your own, there is no fee. Just go on your own time. Have good tires as some of the road is pretty rocky. For the Navajo tour to take you into the back country, we used Monument Valley Tours, 435-727-3313, www.monumentvalleytours.net.
Apr 24, 2019 23:50:51 #
Apr 25, 2019 06:20:29 #
Get a map! Your time in MV is woefully short. Being rushed doesn't help your photography. Decide where you want to take photos (Rt 163 from mile 13, John Ford Point, North Window, Totem Pole [nice one, windshoppe], Three Sisters etc) and get there with enough time to relax and make good images.
Apr 25, 2019 08:10:42 #
Tommy 86
Loc: East TN
We used Navajo Spirit tours and were very happy with our morning/sunset tours. The View cabin was also great. I suggest you skip taking your vehicle on the loop and take an afternoon or sunset tour with a Navajo guide. You'll see and learn much more and help the local economy. Enjoy your trip to a beautiful place!
Apr 25, 2019 08:59:17 #
Depending on time of day, there are excellent shots available from the railing outside the gift shop! Going beyond, I also recommend Monument Valley Tours. One reason for that, there are a few places that are restricted to tour groups.
Apr 25, 2019 10:03:59 #
Fabulous picture Man!
windshoppe wrote:
While I wasn't specifically looking for sunrise/sunset photos, I would highly recommend a Navaho guide. I've attached an example of a photo that I would not have gotten had it not been for the guide (who, incidentally loaned me his tripod, which I had not thought to bring.) Have a great trip!
Apr 25, 2019 10:14:24 #
Kingman, By all means take a Guide and Tour. They'll make you visit worth the effort. The cost of their services is nothing compared to what you will have already spent getting and staying there. An extra day would be my only other suggestion. Here is a link to a similar tour we took in 2016, and each park as it's own log. Might give you some ideas. https://ncribble.com/2016WNP/wnp.indes.html
Norm
Norm
Apr 25, 2019 11:20:24 #
brucebc
Loc: Tooele, Utah
You will have to pay the park entrance fee to get to the motel and that will let you take the drive yourself tour. I have driven that route in my Buick Roadmaster at least twice with no problems. The paid tours take you deeper into the valley and stops at a couple of arch's that you can't see any other way.
Apr 25, 2019 12:42:28 #
I did a tour of western US National Parks in 2009 and one of the places visited was Monument Valley. It was a day trip from Page, Arizona and I rode a coach to the site and took a light plane back. The view from the plane was great. Photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/sets/72157622687107112/
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